After the 25th-ranked Tigers scored on the opening possession of overtime, their defense delivered, too. Missouri sacked a backpedaling C.J. Bacher, forcing a fumble that left Northwestern with fourth-and-goal from the 32-yard line.

Bacher's desperation heave into the end zone was knocked down.

The win gave Missouri (10-4) double-digit victories in consecutive seasons for the first time in school history. The Wildcats (9-4) fell to 1-6 in bowl games.

Playing his final college game, Daniel overcame three interceptions to lead the Tigers back from a three-point deficit in the fourth quarter.

Jeff Wolfert made a 37-yard field goal with 2:49 remaining to tie it 23-all, but he missed a 44-yard attempt that could have won it for Missouri as time expired.

Bacher threw for 303 yards and three touchdowns.

Rutgers 29, North Carolina State 23 -- Mike Teel passed for 319 yards and Rutgers capped its comeback season with another rally in the Papajohns.com Bowl in Birmingham, Ala.

Teel threw a 42-yard touchdown pass to Kenny Britt with 8:30 to play for what proved to be the winning touchdown. Britt, a third-team All-American, made a juggling catch as he crossed the goal line and finished with six receptions for 119 yards.

Teel, a senior, was the game's most valuable player.

The Scarlet Knights (8-5) began the season 1-5 but finished with a seven-game winning streak, led by Teel.

North Carolina State (6-7) led 17-6 at halftime on the strength of quarterback Russell Wilson, who was 11 of 23 for 186 yards and a score. But Wilson left the game because of a strained knee late in the first half and did not return.

His replacements were mostly ineffective and threw three interceptions to aid the Rutgers comeback. Wilson threw only one interception this season.

Notable

Utah coach Kyle Whittingham signed a five-year contract extension worth $6 million, a reward for leading the Utes to a perfect regular season and BCS bid.

• Alabama All-America left tackle Andre Smith has been suspended from the Sugar Bowl for violating team rules, possibly signaling an end to the Outland Trophy winner's college career.